Chevrolet Corvette Stingray - The Timber Wolf C2 Gets Fired Up

We Get The 393 Stroker Motor, Tremec Tranny, and Radiator Installed

Welcome to the fourth of six total installments chronicling the assembling of our old "carny" Corvette into the ultimate C2 Vette Rod. Last month, the crew at Corvette Restoration AZ put the finishing touches on the paint and bodywork, and installed the A/C and all-new wiring harnesses. In this issue, we will install our badass 393 stroker, a brand-new Tremec 5-speed, and a twin-fan radiator setup. Before we continue with the build, here are the remaining basic elements of the Timber Wolf C2:* Chassis, Suspension, Brakes, and Rearend Install* Interior and Stereo Install, Wrap-Up, and Vehicle Drive Experience

Last month, the bodywork was done, and the car was finally primed and painted. As we said, we will also get into a little more detail on the engine accessories, including our new pulley system and the radiator/fan combo.

More than 25 years ago, a young Kim Ian Madsen, seeking a rebuild on a Vette engine, came through the doors of JD Machine in Lake Havasu City, Arizona. That would be the first of many car projects between them. When we asked JD Machine if they would like to participate in the engine build of the Timber Wolf C2, their answer was a definite yes. For the past 27 years, JD Machine has built stock and custom engines for all sorts of uses including circle track, street rods, off-road, race boats, and land speed racing. They also supply fully machined assemblies for those who like to do their own engine builds. As well as having a complete machine shop, they also have a Staska engine dyno in a separate test cell with the capability of over 1,500 hp.

When the plans were first laid for the drivetrain of the Timber Wolf C2, we decided to build a 393 Chevy stroker motor, primarily to produce big-block power from a well-built, old-school smallblock. We wanted to keep the install as simple as possible due to our time limitations, and since the C2 used a small-block from the factory, we knew another smallblock from the same bloodline would drop in with little effort.

To start this project, we needed a well-seasoned block that would be acceptable for a high-horse build like ours. We decided to source out one of Chevrolet's finest-a Gen-1 350 Chevy block-preferably with the last three digits in the casting number at the back of the block reading 010, which designates a high-nickel content block. When we contacted Mike Dawson, owner of JD Machine, he picked out his best block for this project from his vast inventory. All the blocks stored at JD Machine have been previously cleaned and magnetically inspected.

The block received the first of many machine operations from Don Hink, who handles all the machine work at JD Machine. The block's main bore line was bored and honed, and the cylinders were roughed in to a 4.030 bore. The block was also align bored and honed, and Eagle billet four-bolt main caps were installed. Next, the block was set up in the RMC deck squaring fixture. The RMC 12V surfacing machine was used to cut the deck down to 9.005 finished deck height. After the surfacing was completed, the block's cylinders were power honed with a series of different grit stones, with a finishing grit of No. 600.

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Machine Me ::: JD Machine in Lake Havasu City, Arizona, has been building high-horsepower engines for over 25 years.

Bore MeAll the blocks stored at JD Machine have been cleaned and magnetically inspected. We decided to go with a 350 "010" high-nickel Chevy block. The block receives the first portion of many machine operations from Don Hink. The block's main bore line is honed, and the cylinders are roughed in.

Deck MeNext up, one of the RHS cylinder heads is set up in the RMC deck squaring machine. The RMC 12V surfacing machine is fly-cutting the head surface so it is perfectly flat for proper sealing on the block.

Insert MeThe block is now ready for the Eagle 4340 stroker crank and rods. Once everything clears in the engine, the rotating assembly is balanced up on the Winona balancer, where the finished balance job was less than 1 gram max out of balance.

Mount MeOnce all work is completed, the block and all its parts receive a final wash and are readied for assembly. After the engine is completed, it is loaded onto the Stuska Track Master Dyno Cart and hooked up to the dyno.

Read MeAfter a full day of tuning, testing, and trying different carburetor and carburetor spacers, we at last had sweet success-our final dyno tally comes in at 475 hp at 5,700 rpm with 489 lb-ft of torque, not bad for a pump gas mouse motor.

Let's Get MarriedDue to the tight clearances, we put the Classic Chevy 5-speed Tremec transmission in the car first, and then installed the McLeod flywheel, clutch, and scattershield on the engine; then married the two assemblies together in the car.

Settle DownIt's a little tricky to get the transmission input shaft into the McLeod clutch assembly and also line up the motor mounts, but with a little patience and some careful persuasion, everything settled in correctly.

Let's BoltNow we can bolt the transmission to the McLeod scatter shield, install the engine mounting bolts, and the engine is securely in place.

Accessory CityThe Hedman Hedders are installed along with the Vintage Air front runner system, including the A/C compressor, alternator, and serpentine belt. These Hedman hedders use a ceramic/metallic composition known as HTC (Hi-Tech Coating) that is considered one of the best thermal coatings available. the car was also updated with a new Flaming River power steering box and one of their trick underhood kill switches. M & H Electric provided wiring harnesses for the complete car including the engine compartment.

Just Notch ItDue to needed clearance for the new Vette Brakes power brake booster, we had to notch out the lefthand valve cover. The new power steering, brakes, and suspension will be covered in their entirety next month.

Getting CloserMost of the major engine components are in place and securely fastened. We then plumbed the heater hoses and installed the new Optima battery.

Lite My FireThe MSD distributor and the correct MSD spark plug wires are installed, and the carburetor linkage is hooked up. We then put some high-test fuel in the new Quanta gas tank, turned the key, and the Timber Wolf C2 roared to life.

Two Guys and a Hot C2Billy and Kim adjust the timing for optimal performance.

SandStorm Warningwe install the L-88 style air cleaner. We still had some work to do to the hood to make it functional but because of sandstorms the week of the photo shoot, we installed the foam element on the air cleaner base as a safety precaution. The foam will be installed properly in the hood later. We let the engine run for a bit, checking for leaks, and once we were satisfied that everything was in working order we took her for a spin, and then it was off to Greenway Auto to be dyno tuned.

Getting' Down on the DynoBill Mackenzie, proprietor of Greenway Auto Service, puts the Timber Wolf on his Clayton chassis dyno and lets her rip.

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